Glioblastomas are cancerous tumors that normally appear on the brain. There are multiple grades of glioblastoma, each characterized by a specific rate of growth or malignancy. If left untreated, glioblastomas often result in physical impairment and death. Treatment for glioblastomas revolves around controlling the growth of the tumor and ultimately removing it from the brain through surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.
Causes
Glioblastomas are caused by rapidly-growing cells in the brain. The catalyst behind why these cells develop abnormal growth typically lies in the genetic structure of the victim. A victim of glioblastoma usually suffers changes to his genetic structure that are either inherited or affected by environmental factors (such as radiation therapy). Sometimes, glioblastomas form on account of both hereditary and environmental factors. According to the International RadioSurgery Association (IRSA), glioblastomas are caused solely by hereditary factors in about 5% of known cases.
Grades
There are several grades of glioblastoma, all of which are characterized by factors such as growth, blood supply and similarity to normal cells. There are four basic grades of glioblastoma: Grade I, Grade II, Grade III and Grade IV. Tumors progress in malignancy as they progress in grade. For example, Grade I gioblastomas are small and slow-growing. Surgery alone is often enough to remove the tumor in its entirety. Grade IV glioblastomas grow rapidly and spawn new blood vessels that aid their growth and longevity.
Symptoms
Symptoms often accompany the presence or growth of glioblastomas within the brain. These symptoms include headaches, changes in personality, loss of vision, seizures and speech problems. Consult a medical professional immediately if you experience one or more of these symptoms.
Potential
The greatest danger of glioblastomas is their ability to spread across additional portions of the brain, eventually culminating in brain failure and death. As mentioned earlier, higher grade glioblastomas, particularly Grade IV, spread most rapidly. Unfortunately, Grade IV glioblastomas are the most common form of primary brain tumor. They are difficult to treat and have a high rate of recurrence post-surgery.
Treatment
Treatment for glioblastomas greatly depends on how fast a tumor is growing. Slow-growing, Grade I tumors are the easiest to treat. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor, concentrated radiotherapy or chemotherapy to kill abnormal cells, and the use of ultrasonic waves to break up tumors. Additionally, a treatment known as stereotactic radiosurgery is sometimes utilized. This treatment applies low-grade radiation to several sections of the head that may ultimately disrupt a tumor's ability to reproduce. Treatment given for Grade IV glioblastomas is dangerous and has a low survival rate. According to Cedars-Sinai, only one in four patients who undergo treatment for a Grade IV glioblastoma survive over the following two years.
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